Authorized Credit Card Users Can Build Credit—But What If You Never Signed Up?

Building credit can feel like an uphill battle, but one effective strategy to establish or improve your credit score is by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. This method allows you to benefit from the primary cardholder’s positive payment history and credit utilization, which can have a direct impact on your credit report. However, if you find yourself as an authorized user without your consent, or if you no longer want to be linked to that account, there are steps you can take to remove yourself.

How Being an Authorized User Can Boost Your Credit

When you become an authorized user, the credit card account’s history is typically reported on your credit file. This can be beneficial in several ways:

• Established Credit History: If the primary cardholder has a long and positive credit history, it can help lengthen your own credit history, which is a crucial factor in determining your credit score.
• Positive Payment History: Since payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score, being added to an account with consistent on-time payments can boost your creditworthiness.
• Lower Credit Utilization: If the primary cardholder keeps their credit utilization low, this can reflect positively on your credit profile and help improve your score.
• No Hard Inquiry: Unlike applying for a new credit card, being added as an authorized user doesn’t trigger a hard inquiry, meaning there’s no temporary dip in your credit score.

What If You Didn’t Agree to Be an Authorized User?

Sometimes, people discover they have been added as an authorized user without their knowledge or consent. This could happen due to a misunderstanding, an error, or even an intentional act by someone else. If you find yourself in this situation, you have the right to remove yourself from the account.

How to Remove Yourself as an Authorized User

If you do not wish to be an authorized user on a particular account, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Credit Card Issuer: Call the customer service number on the back of the credit card or visit the issuer’s website to request removal.
2. Provide Your Information: You may need to verify your identity and confirm which account you want to be removed from.
3. Request Confirmation: Ask for written confirmation that you have been removed as an authorized user to ensure the update reflects on your credit report.
4. Monitor Your Credit Report: Check your credit report through annualcreditreport.com or a credit monitoring service to verify that the account has been removed from your file.

Final Thoughts

Being an authorized user can be a valuable strategy for building credit, but it’s important to ensure that you are added to accounts with a positive payment history and responsible credit management. If you ever find yourself added without your consent or need to remove yourself for any reason, taking the right steps can help protect your credit profile. Always stay informed and proactive about what appears on your credit report to maintain healthy financial standing.